Sure, it may seem like a pessimistic angle to take, and I acknowledge that. It appears as though Major League Baseball deliberately fast-tracked controversial rule changes like the pitch clock knowing full well it would cause friction with players and the MLB Players Association, consequently pre-empting any resistance. Three weeks are left of spring training before the inaugural game at Busch Stadium, and three precious weeks to make final decisions concerning the bullpen, assess any last-minute trading opportunities, enliven the offense, and complete that first off-season free-agent signing. The training camp is poised in a unique equilibrium. Three phases to rise, three stages to descend.
Oliver Marmol, the manager, often quips that a larger discussion space will be necessary to finalize the principal decisions of March. Let’s examine the possible direction these dialogues could take. If it is indeed the case that the main grievances of the MLBPA revolve around health and player safety, then logically, it would be appropriate to involve a team of specialists and medical professionals who could present a report detailing alternate causes of pitcher injuries.
Personally, if I were in MLB’s shoes and needed a prompt rebuttal, such a document would be my weapon of choice. Whenever someone raises the argument that the accelerated game pace and reduced rest period for pitchers could result in injuries, I would simply produce the report as evidence against their claim.
Revealing my own cynical lens, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to question MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark, who in the past raised health and safety concerns. I was curious if he shared similar skeptical views regarding the intentions of the MLB injury report.
Attempting optimism, Clark states, ‘I do strive to be a glass-half-full kind of guy, that’s my concerted effort’. Standing behind the major league clubhouse at the spring training facility on a Wednesday morning, he continued, ‘So, a report that merely underlines issues we already recognize doesn’t seem particularly informative. The real question is: how do we tackle these multifaceted challenges present in our game?’
The aforementioned report not only acknowledges that the predicament is complex but attributes the root cause to numerous elements. One of the most noteworthy findings is that the ‘most significant causes’ likely include increased pitch velocity, a concentration on optimizing player ‘stuff’, and a modern-day pitcher’s approach to ‘give maximum effort during both game and non-game scenarios’.
In simpler terms, just about everything you’d anticipate. Now, shall we, for a moment, collectively plunge back into cynicism? Take a moment to process this information in your own best Mel Allen impersonation exclaiming, ‘How about that?’
Whilst I may admittedly come across as a bit of a detractor and critic (shout-out to Mary J. Blige), Clark has taken a more diplomatic approach by focusing on the larger context. ‘Every aspect is an integral part of the discussion. What I can confirm is that we’re witnessing an escalating number of injured pitchers. When such incidents occur, it is certainly not a positive sign and shouldn’t be regarded as the norm of how things are or should be. That’s simply not acceptable.’
Clark further touched on the MLBPA’s effort to ‘understand’ the guiding philosophies that steer MLB teams and their approach towards pitching. He insinuated that the game is inadvertently putting pitchers in danger. Clark even mentioned a personal incident involving placing his son, Aeneas Clark—a pitcher at the University of Missouri—currently recovering from an arm injury.
He resonates, ‘Observing professional players suffer, witnessing my own child in the same predicament, and seeing many of his peers experience similar situations, it’s clear that this is a complex issue that requires more serious consideration than we’ve given it so far, along with an aim to overturn or shift it — if we’re to see any change.’
Though Clark might not have an immediate solution, it’s evident that he views matters from the players’ standpoint. Besides, I’d wager that he is more genuinely vested in resolving these issues than an industry that increasingly considers it ideal when players can easily be substituted. Sorry. Oops, there goes my cynicism once more. I suppose this subject just stirs up my skeptical nature.